This is a question for ultrasonic users. What is your perferred brand name of ultrasonics. Please give me some feedback on your choice. I have used 3 brands for leak detection only. I have my own ideas about which one is best, but would like to hear from some other users. Thanks.

Sherman,

I have used the UE Ultraprobe 1000, CSI Sonic Scan, SDT 101, SDT 150, and SDT 170. I prefer not to mention specific pros/cons, since there are newer models and products on the market. I primarily use the older SDT 150 with 097-US contact probe. I recommend you try out several UT makes/models before purchase. An instrument that's good for airborne sound for detecting leaks may not be very good for contact measurements (bearings, gears, seals, steam traps, etc.). There are no industry standard calibration procedures, frequency ranges, or measurement units for contact measurements. A wide range of sensors may be needed for all of your applications. I use the meter's internal microphone, microphone on flexible extension handle, microphone on long cable, small focus microphone (my design), large parabolic microphone (my design), hand-held contact probe, and magnetic contact probe. Many instruments have a lot of "bells and whistles", but they don't do the fundamental measurements very well. My advice: spend at least a full day in plant making a lot of measurements for all of your primary applications before purchasing a new UT instrument.

We use both the UE Ultraprobe 2000 and the SDT 170. I like both of them for different applications. We use the SDT's for greasing and for contact probe trouble shooting, as well as leak checking. We use the UE for most of our leak detection and electrical panel inspection. They are both quality instruments.

When we were trying to decide on equipment we asked to borrow a demo unit for a week at a time. The suppliers were more than happy to let us try before we bought. We defided to go with the CSI Sonic scan 7000. It suits our needs due to it having alot of preset functions built in. This can help if you are not sure what frequency range you need to be in (great for training new people/ tradespeople). We also have CSI Vibration gear so it was good to get the same brand because the UT and VA gear can be combined if required. Battery life was a big issue for us (consultants trying to make a dollar) as we use it in remote locations. The sonic scan 7000 that we own, I have used for about 14Hours and it still didn't run out. Some of the other brands only lasted about 8 Hours before needing a top up.

Hope this helps

I can fully recommend the SDT system. I have had good success with this system for bearing defect identification - even in cases where vibration could not see the defect.

I have been using Holroyd Instruments' MHC-Memo Pro for some years now & have found it to be very good. I have not used the airborne sensor much but the instrument is great especially for slow speed machinery. Lots of good cases. Identified a faulty 120 RPM APH motor recently.

UE and SDT offer fine Ultrasonic leak detection instrumentation. We offer the complete SDT line of 170 series models. For those that can't afford the several thousand dollar models, our most popular models include the SDT FlexUS and Accutrak models in the $239 to $1,295.00 range.
http://www.reliabilitydirect.com/ultrasoundproducts/leakdetectorindex.htm

Can ultrasonic be used to detect tightness or passing of wellhead valves for oil & gas flows? TQ

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Josh,

Josh,

I don't know about wellhead values, but I have used ultrasound to detect leaking valves with water, air, steam, and hydraulic fluid. The basic technique is to measure ultrasound level with a contact sensor at upstream pipe, downstream pipe and on valve body locations. A leak is determiined by difference in sound level (delta-dB) and audible "leak/flow" sound in headphones. Be aware that other sources of ultrasound may prvent or limit a good leak detection.

Walt

Can it be used for a check valve, choke valve, crown valve etc which are for a wellhead christmas tree? You know we have to do leak/closure test 6-monthly, 3 monthly & 1 monthly for the non-return valve which mean shutting down and wait for any pressure drop upstream of the valve being tested ie time-consuming. So I'm thinking whehter ultrasonic will help? TQ

Josh,

The simple answer is yes. Ultrasound can detect leaks across seat of any type of valve. It could be tricky in your "Christmas Tree" valve arrangement if more than one valve is leaking. Give ultrasound a try. SDT and UE Systems have good products. I hope your correction of leaks will help reduce prices at the gas pump!

Walt

If explosion-proof is a requirement, how do you suggest to go about it? TQ

Josh,

Check ultrasound meter vendors specifications for explosure-proof against your requirements.
http://www.uesystems.com/ Class 1 Div 1 explosion proof

I don't see the spec for explosion-proof written explicitly? Tq

Josh "Explosion proof" is very difficult to find in the oil business. Intrinsically safe should be better.
Years ago after a "kick" from a well "explosion proof" was the magic word for every device on our drilling rigs. We had air-starters for our engines but that was not "explosion proof" enough.
There were some discussions about putting rubber sleeves around drill pipes so in case of a gas-kick metal-to-metal contact could be avoided.

After a lot of searching, e-mailing, my old contacts all over the world: I got some suggestions for starters with cryogenic cooling. So I told our "ghost hunters" to contact the NASA....

Why intrisically safe should be better than explosion-proof? What is the difference? TQ

Vendors are very reluctant to put explosion proof on their product (especially in the US) because of possible law suits. With a sue-happy public, doctors, engineers, nurses etc. are rising their fees just to cover financial disasters in law courts. If some lunatic takes the equipment to detect a gasleak and he is smoking a cigarette, it is up to the vendor to proof that the explosion was not caused by his equipment.

Are those products mentioned above intrinsically safe?

In a nutshell - Explosion proof means that the product's enclosure will contain an explosion of a specified gas or vapor and prevent an explosion of any surrounding gas or vapors - Intrinsically Safe means the instrument or component will not produce any spark or thermal effects under any conditions that are normal or abnormal that will ignite a specified gas mixture. Electrical and thermal energy limits are at levels incapable of causing ignition.
Here is a link for additional information on the subject, and hazardous area classifications:
http://www.hazardousareadirect.com/ClassificationInfo/Definitions.htm

TYVM indeed DavidG. That's exactly what I want. Full picture. Rdgs